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Museum's value to cruise visitors

Reading the article regarding the increasing value to Tauranga of cruise-ship visits (News, June 23), and the popularity of The Elms to cruise-ship passengers, one can only wonder at the city councillors' recent decision to ditch the museum build project.

With not only The Elms — and its Gate Pā battle associations — and the Monmouth Redoubt within walking distance, plus the historic cemetery (Gate Pā associations again) the Cliff Rd site must surely have been an ideal museum location, and — as the article indicates — must present a significant and valuable attraction to visitors.

The millions of dollars ($54 million) per annum injection from anticipated cruise-ship visits to Tauranga, must surely show the $20.7 million ($55.7 million total) museum project not as a cost, but as a very valuable investment.

In view of this acknowledgement of the value of Tauranga's historic sites should not our city councillors reconsider their decision on the museum build project?Eddie OrsulichOtumoetai

Why traffic lights replace roundabouts?

Richard Cross' letter (June 13) may have missed an additional reason for the council choosing traffic lights as an option.

I was told that the cost for placement of new traffic lights is $150,000 plus an additional ongoing servicing fee of a couple of thousands of dollars per year.

We don't now see servicing people up ladders changing bulbs (LEDs now) and occasional re-phasing is done by computers online.

So, is it possible that councils receive some sort of kick-back off those above huge monies?Michael Donovan Tauranga

'Dinosaur' library decision

In its infinite 'collective wisdom' (read — ineptitude) the council has now resolved to resurrect the $35 million 'future-proofed' city library with construction commencing 2022.

Hopefully, none of this zealot brigade will be re-elected in 2019 to see this financial nightmare to fruition. This proposal was finally dealt with a couple of weeks ago when elected members voted 6 to 5 not to proceed yet, last week, a new vote 6 to 5 resolved it would proceed.

What seems obvious to me is that pressure was brought to bear on one councillor. The existing city library is just fine.

It's a pleasant place fit for purpose which I can attest to from my personal experience as a regular library user.

In my experience, most people, often not locals, only use the facility as a drop-in centre for free internet/Wi-Fi while others simply browse newspapers with minimal numbers using the library's core services.

Was the latest notice of motion in accord with council standing orders and proper procedure followed because, as I understand, technically no new motion on the same topic can be considered within 12 months?

Libraries per se are becoming dinosaurs and hardcover books, etc, have run their course so why is Tauranga City Council going down this track of promoting aberrations?